After Germany, US Advises Indian Government to Ensure “Fair, Timely Trial” to Kejriwal
NEW DELHI, Mar 26: After Germany, the United States said it was monitoring reports of the Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest and has encouraged its Indian counterpart to ensure “a fair, transparent, and timely legal process” for him and other opposition leaders, a State Department spokesperson said.
The US’ response comes days after Germany’s Foreign Office stressed that the Aam Aadmi Party leader, like any other Indian citizen facing charges, was entitled to a fair and impartial trial. “We assume and expect that standards relating to independence of judiciary and basic democratic principles will also be applied in this case,” a German government spokesperson had said on Friday.
The Indian government reacted strongly to the comment, summoning the German envoy and labelling the Foreign Office spokesperson’s remark “blatant interference in internal matters.” “We see such remarks as interfering in our judicial process and undermining the independence of our judiciary,” the External Affairs Ministry said, “Biased assumptions are most unwarranted.”
Asked about India’s protest to Germany, the State Department spokesperson said, “We refer you to the German Foreign Ministry for comment on their discussions with the Indian government.” The Indian government has not yet reacted to the US State Department comments.
The Enforcement Directorate took Mr Kejriwal into custody last week in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam after a Delhi court refused protection from arrest following a late-night raid at his residence. He was sent to custody of the central agency for seven days till Thursday.
The Chief Minister’s arrest has triggered furious protests in Delhi, with the AAP joined by opposition parties, including INDIA bloc allies Congress, the Trinamool of Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and Tamil Nadu’s ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, in condemning the agency’s action.
The BJP – accused by the opposition of using central investigative agencies like the ED to target and harass rivals, particularly before an election – has demanded Mr Kejriwal resign, and has called out apparent instances this week and last of the AAP leader running the government from jail. The BJP has also dismissed claims that it uses central agencies as described by the opposition.
(Manas Dasgupta)
